JPS5928601B2 - Assembly and method for electrically degassing particulate matter - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an assembly for degassing or cleaning particulate matter that is at least partially contaminated with gas.

The present invention is particularly useful in the field of powder metallurgy, particularly hardening.

That is, it is useful in preparing superalloy type metal powders for condensation under heat and pressure.

A substantial portion of the powder is produced in an inert atmosphere, such as argon.

However, it is necessary to remove the inert gas from the powder before solidifying or condensing the powder.

Significant advances in the degassing of powdered metals have been made by inventors WALTERJ, ROZMTJS.

His invention is described and claimed in US Pat. No. 4,056,368, issued November 1, 1977.

According to that invention, degassing is achieved by introducing gas-contaminated pulverulent material into a vacuum chamber that is connected to a vacuum pump.

One or more electric fields are created within the vacuum chamber by applying potentials to one or more sets of electrodes.

The electric field charges and excites the gaseous contaminants so that they are separated from the particulate matter and thus easily removed from the vacuum chamber.

This is accomplished by placing a container filled with gas-contaminated particulate matter above a vacuum chamber and connecting the container to the vacuum chamber.

That is, the particulate material flows downwardly through the vacuum chamber under the action of gravity into a receiving container, which is then sealed and removed from the apparatus so that the container is degassed for further processing. The powder is under vacuum.

Frequently, a single pass of gas-contaminated granular powder metal through a vacuum chamber is not sufficient to degas the powder metal.

In such a case, the container must be removed from the bottom of the vacuum chamber, repositioned above the vacuum chamber, and the entire assembly ordered to begin a new operation.

To solve this problem, inventor WALTERJ, R.
OZMUS has invented the degassing of a particulate material by passing the material several times through a vacuum chamber between containers at each end of the vacuum chamber.

That is, in the present invention, the vacuum chamber and container are alternated in a 180° arc to pass gas-contaminated particulate material back and forth through the vacuum chamber continuously until the particulate material reaches a desired level of degassing. Invert.

This invention is made by WALTERJ, ROZMUS, 1
No. 267,729, filed May 28, 981, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

As part of the refinement of the inverting degasser concept, which utilizes counter-rotating vacuum chambers, the gas is most effectively charged, Alternatively, great efforts have been made to provide an ionizing electric field generating device.

The present invention provides such an efficient and effective method for generating an electric field and an assembly for carrying out the method for efficiently and effectively degassing gas-contaminated particulate matter.

The gas-contaminated particulate matter is passed through a vacuum chamber, and the particulate material is subjected to an electric field to charge the gaseous contaminant and separate the gaseous contaminant from the particulate matter, leading to a vacuum source through a vacuum outlet. into the gas flow path.

A series of electrical potentials are created in the vacuum outlet by a series of spaced apart electrodes.

Adjacent potentials or electrodes have opposite polarity and the distance between adjacent potentials or electrodes decreases in the direction of the gas flow path leaving the vacuum outlet.

According to the invention, a gas flow path is created by the formation of an electric potential, and the gas molecules are continuously urged by the electric potential to move in the direction of the gas flow path.

In other words, the formation of the electrical potential forces gas molecules into the gas flow path to continuously move toward the vacuum source, preventing them from becoming trapped, ie, flowing back upstream into the vacuum chamber.

This of course provides the most efficient and most effective removal of gaseous contaminants from particulate matter within the vacuum chamber.

Other advantages of the invention will be facilitated by reference to the following detailed description in consideration of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 discloses an assembly of the type precisely described and claimed by said U.S. patent application Ser. No. 267.729, filed May 28, 1981.

The assembly shown in FIG. 1 includes a vacuum chamber assembly, designated generally by the numeral 10.

Assembly 10 has a flow passageway 12 at each end thereof, which flow passageway 12 is connected to a container 14 .

The container 14 is connected by an assembly 16 to a skeleton, which is identical and is generally designated 1B, and the skeleton 18 is connected to a motor 22.
It is alternately reversed around 180° by a shaft 20 driven by.

All these members are supported by an assembly generally designated 24.

Vacuum chamber assembly 10 has a horizontal vacuum outlet 26.

A first embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 2 and has a vacuum gas outlet 26.

It includes a vacuum chamber assembly, designated generally by the numeral 10.

Assembly 10 cleans particulate matter that is at least partially contaminated with gas.

The vacuum chamber 10 is comprised of a glass tube 28 having an integrally formed glass tubular member defining a vacuum outlet which is connected by a tube 30 to a vacuum source, such as a vacuum pump.

Metal end cap 12 defines flow passages 32 at both ends thereof.

The tube 28 is in sealing engagement with the cap 12, suitably via a seal, and the cap 12 is pressed against the end of the tube 28 by a connecting rod 34 interconnecting it.

A pair of funnel-shaped members 36 are located at opposite ends of the chamber and may be held in place by suitable positioning devices, such as by gluing to the end cap members 12.

The small outlet openings of the funnel shaped members 36 are spaced apart above and below the dispensing means 38 which are aligned with each other and supported by arms 40 which are glued and otherwise secured to the interior of the tube 28. It's out.

As the powder enters the flow passageway 32 at the top of the assembly, it enters the large open end of the funnel-shaped member 36, passes downwardly through a small outlet and engages the dispersing ball 38.
disperses the flow of particulate material to create a circular curtain around a small opening in the funnel-shaped member 36 located at the bottom of the chamber and on its exterior.

The powder is then dispersed in a wide curtain and funnel shaped member 3
6, falls through the scalloped opening 42, and falls through the bottom opening 32.

In the same manner as described above, the chamber assembly 10 may be reversely inverted so that particulate matter flows back through the assembly.

Applying an electric field to the gas-contaminated particulate material falling through the tube 28 charges the gaseous contaminant and causes it to separate from the particulate material, leaving the vacuum chamber with a gas outlet 26;
An electric field generator is disposed within the vacuum outlet 26 for generating an electric field to facilitate removal of gaseous contaminants via conduit 30 to the vacuum source.

The invention provides an outlet 26 from a chamber defined by a tube 28;
It is characterized by a series of electrodes 43, 44, 45, 46° 47 and 48 spaced apart along the gas flow path via conduit 30 to the vacuum source.

Adjacent electrodes are oppositely charged and the distance between adjacent electrodes decreases in the direction of the gas flow path from the outlet 26.

All electrodes 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, and 48
is a gas outlet pipe 2 extending horizontally from the center of the vacuum chamber.
6 and completely outside the vacuum chamber constituted by tube 28.

As mentioned above, the gas outlet 26 is made of a non-conductive material such as glass and is connected to the metal connecting member 50 from the vacuum chamber assembly.
Extends to.

A first conductor device in the form of a rod 52 extends from the coupling member 50 inside the gas outlet tube 26 , the end of the rod 52 having a thread and screwing into the annular end face of the member 50 .

The end of the glass tube forming the outlet 26 is disposed external to and sealingly engages one member 50, with the end of the tube 26 abutting a shoulder formed in the member 50.

The first plurality of electrodes, electrodes 44, 46, and 48, are spaced apart along bar 52 and are electrically interconnected by bar 52.

The electrodes are in the form of a metal mesh, ie a circular screen of interwoven metal strands.

A Belleville-type washer 56 engages the end 54 of the rod 52 on one side of the screen 44 and a washer 58 is located on the other side of the screen so that the conductor rod 52 is in electrical conduction with the screen 44. It engages and extends to end 54.

An insulating glass tube 60 connects the electrode 4 to isolate the rod 52 from the interior of the outlet 26 and from the electrode 45 of opposite polarity.
4 and 46.

Glass tube 60 presses washer 58 against screen 44 .

As best shown in FIG. 4, a pair of Belleville-shaped washers 61 grip the bar 52 on either side of the screen 46;
Since the washer 62 is placed outside the Belleville-type washer 61, the insulating tube 60 is engaged with one washer 62, and the insulating tube 64 is engaged with the other washer 62, the screen forming the electrode 46 is It is in electrical contact with the rod 52.

The opposite end of tube 64 engages electrode 48 and forces electrode 48 against the end surface of coupling member 50.

Electrical wire 66 preferably grounds or electrically neutralizes member 50, thereby grounding alternating or every other electrode of the first plurality, including electrodes 44, 46, and 48.

Although only one rod is shown, this is for convenience only and in the preferred embodiment three such rods are used circumferentially spaced 120 DEG from each other.

The remaining electrodes 43, 45, and 47 form a second plurality of spaced apart electrodes along the gas outlet 26.

Each of the second plurality of electrodes 43, 45, and 47 is spaced apart from two adjacent electrodes of the other electrodes 44, 46, and 48.

A second conductor arrangement in the form of an axis 68 connects the second plurality of electrodes 4
3.45, and 47, thereby charging them and forming a potential with respect to the other electrodes 44, 46, and 48.

In other words, electrodes 44, 46, and 48 are grounded and the other alternating electrodes 43, 45, and 47 are positively or negatively charged.

According to the foregoing discussion, when alternating electrodes, ie, adjacent electrodes are configured to be oppositely charged, it is meant that a potential is created between adjacent electrodes.

Shaft 68 is a conductor (preferably a metal conductor) and is insulated by insulating glass tubes 70 and 72.

The shaft extends in a cantilevered manner from the coupling member 50 to the electrode 43 at the distal end of the shaft adjacent the vacuum chamber.

Cap 74 is threaded onto the end of shaft 68 and abuts the end of insulation tube 72 to hold electrode 43 in electrical contact with shaft 68 and in place.

Insulating tube 72 extends through the next adjacent electrode 44 to its connection with electrode 45, best shown in FIG.

The conductive member, ring T8, has one flange that engages one side of the screen of electrode 45, and has two washers, O - pressed against the screen between rings 76;

Shaft 68 makes electrical contact with other shafts through the assembly shown in FIG.

The assembly has a snap ring 82 disposed in a groove in the shaft 68 and engaging the end of the insulating member 70, the end of the shaft 68 having threads and passing through a washer 84 and a member 86.88. Extending and threaded into nut 90, the end of shaft 68 is in electrical contact with spring 92, which in turn is in electrical contact with shaft 80.

Thus, the insulating tube 70 extends through the connecting member 50 and
The shaft 68 is isolated from the connecting member 50.

The conductive member 50 is supported by a non-conductive member 93, such as a member made of the trademark "Lucite" (a trade name for polymethyl methacrylate).

In a preferred embodiment, electrodes 43, 45, and 47
A positive potential is applied to shaft 68 so as to charge it positively.

There are also multiple magnets between adjacent oppositely charged electrodes.

A first magnet 94 is between electrode 44 and a next adjacent oppositely charged electrode 45 .

Another magnet 94 is between electrode 46 and the next adjacent oppositely charged electrode 47.

Magnet 94 creates a magnetic flux that controls the movement of the ionized or charged gas molecules so that they continue to move through the flow path toward the vacuum source.

The distance from electrode 48 to the next adjacent oppositely charged electrode 47 is less than the distance between electrode 47 and the next adjacent oppositely charged electrode 46 .

Similarly, the distance between electrode 46 and electrode 45 is shorter than the distance between electrode 45 and electrode 44.

The same applies to all other electrodes.

The distance between adjacent oppositely charged electrodes is therefore reduced in the direction of gas flow through the outlet 26 to the vacuum source.

The amount of reduction from electrode to electrode may vary.

However, it has been found that it is better to reduce the distance between successive electrodes by approximately 8%.

The gas in the chamber constituted by tube 28 is subjected to a potential difference created by electrode 43.

For example, funnel-shaped member 36 may be grounded and electrode 43 may create a positive charge.

Neutral gas molecules are attracted to the positively charged electrode 43, which is deficient in electrons.

The gas molecules pass through the screen of the electrode 43 and emit electrons,
a positively charged and therefore neutral or grounded electrode 44;
are attracted to.

When gas molecules pass through electrode 44, they receive electrons from ground and become neutral.

However, since the distance to the next positive electrode 45 is shorter than the distance back to the positive electrode 43, the molecules continue to move along the gas flow to the exit.

Additionally, magnet 94 creates a magnetic field, or magnetic field lines, that prevent positively charged molecules by antenna 45 from returning to antenna 44 .

In other words, some randomly moving molecules that are positively charged by the antenna 45 will return towards the antenna 44, but the magnetic field lines will prevent such movement.

A similar thing happens when gas molecules pass between electrodes.

That is, adjacent electrodes 43, 44, 45° 46, and 47
By narrowing the distance between.

A continuous stream of gas molecules is formed.

The embodiment of FIG. 7 includes the same components with the same reference numbers as the embodiment of FIG. 2, differing only in the shape of the electrodes.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the positively charged electrode 145
, and 147 are small disc-shaped members with sharp circular or annular edges for emitting electrons.

The electrode 143 at the end of the shaft 68 is preferably cup-shaped with a corrugated outer circumference or sharp teeth to facilitate electron emission.

Electrodes 143, 145, and 147 are separated by the glass insulation tube 73 described above.

An additional insulating tube 71 extends through the metal support member 50;
Electrical interaction between shaft 68 and support member 50 is prevented.

First plurality of electrodes 144.1 in the embodiment of FIG.
46 and 148 each consist of a pair of concentric rings interconnected by a radial bridge.

The first conductor constituted by the rod 52 is connected to the adjacent electrode 14.
4, 146, and 148 and connect these electrodes to a connecting member, i.e., a support member 50.
ground to.

The embodiment of FIG. 8 has the advantage that the number of electrodes can be varied and that the first plurality of positively charged electrodes comprises a transverse shaft 96 extending radially from either side of the shaft 68, i.e.
It differs from the embodiment of FIG. 7 in that it includes spikes 98 extending from each end of transverse shaft 96 in the direction of the gas flow passage.

In the case of a first electrode located at the distal end of the shaft 68, adjacent to the vacuum chamber, the horizontal shaft is provided with sharp teeth or serrations at the front to provide a sharp point for emitting electrons. include.

The embodiment of FIG. 9 differs from the previous embodiment in that it includes a vacuum conduit 30' communicating with a vacuum source and that the electrodes are located within the vertical vacuum chamber defined by tube 28.

According to the invention, positively charged electrodes 243 and 245 are provided which are arranged around the exterior of the funnel-shaped member 36 and are electrically insulated therefrom.

A grounded electrode 244 is disposed between electrodes 243 and 245, and the distance between electrodes 243 and 244 is greater than the distance between electrodes 244 and 245, which are sequentially and oppositely charged. .

The divider or distribution member 38' may also be grounded.

(Thus, when particulate material enters the top of the assembly shown in FIG. forming an upward flow of gas through the

Thus, according to the invention, the gas-contaminated particulate material is passed through a vacuum chamber 28 which is connected to a vacuum source via a vacuum outlet;
The gas-contaminated particulate material is subjected to an electric field that charges the gaseous contaminant, separates it from the particulate material, and forms a gas flow path through the outlet to the vacuum source. In a method for degassing materials, a series of spaced potentials are created along a gas flow path leading to a vacuum source, with adjacent potentials of opposite polarity and the distance between adjacent potential intervals in the direction of the gas flow path. It is characterized by a decrease.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 2, 7, and 8, the potential is created external to the vacuum chamber and within the outlet 26 extending from the vacuum chamber, whereas in the embodiment of FIG. Created inside a vacuum chamber.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side view of an assembly utilizing the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway sectional perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary exploded perspective view showing the connection between one of the electrodes and the conductor. FIG. 4 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view showing a connection between the same conductor as shown in FIG. 3 and another electrode. FIG. 5 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view showing a connection between one of the other electrodes and another conductor. 6 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the end connection of the conductor shown in FIG. 5; FIG. FIG. 7 is a partially cut away perspective view of another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 8 is a partially cut away perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway sectional perspective view of still another embodiment of the present invention. 26...Gas outlet, 28...Vacuum chamber,
43 to 48.143 to 148,243,245°2
46... Electrode, 30... Vacuum source, 50
...Connecting member, 52...First conductor device or first conductor bar, 68...Second conductor device or shaft, 94... ...Magnet, 70...
Insulating glass tube, 96...Horizontal axis, 98...
··spike.

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. An assembly for cleaning particulate matter that is at least partially contaminated with gas, comprising: a vacuum chamber 28; a gas outlet 26 connecting the vacuum chamber 28 and a vacuum source 30; the vacuum chamber has vertically spaced chambers having a flow passageway at each end for directing a flow of particulate material into and out of the vacuum chamber; a second end, such that the gas-contaminated particulate material is subjected to an electric field, charging the gaseous contaminant and facilitating removal of the gaseous contaminant from the vacuum chamber through the gas outlet; In an assembly further comprising an electric field generating device for generating an electric field for separating gaseous contaminants from particulate matter, the electric field generating device is arranged mutually along the gas flow path leading to the vacuum source 30. A series of spaced electrodes 43°44.45,4
6,47,48,143,145°146.147.1
48.243.245, and 246, characterized in that adjacent electrodes are oppositely charged to reduce the distance between adjacent electrodes in the direction of the gas flow path. 2. The gas outlet (26) extends horizontally from the vacuum chamber (28), and the electrode is located outside the vacuum chamber (28) and inside the gas outlet (26). Assembly according to paragraph 1. 3 The gas outlet 26 is connected to the connecting member 5 from the vacuum chamber 28.
a first conductor device 5 consisting of a non-conductive material extending to 0;
2 extends from the connecting member 50 within the gas outlet 26;
First plurality of said electrodes 44°46.48,144,14
6 and 148 are spaced apart along the first conductor device 52 and are electrically connected to each other by the conductor device. assembly. 4 second plurality of said electrodes 43, 45, 47°143.
145 and 147 are spaced apart along the gas outlet, and each electrode of the second plurality is spaced apart between two adjacent electrodes of the first plurality. , a second conductive device 68 is in electrical interconnection with the second plurality of electrodes, and the first plurality of electrodes and the second plurality of electrodes are oppositely charged. An assembly according to claim 3. 5. The second conductor device 68 extends in a cantilevered manner from the connecting member to one of the first plurality of electrodes (43, 143) located at the distal end adjacent to the vacuum chamber 28. 5. An assembly as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a shaft (68). 6. The assembly of claim 4, wherein at least one magnet 94 extends between adjacent oppositely charged electrodes. 7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the shaft 68 is insulated 70 from the connecting member 50. 8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the connecting member 50 is made of a conductive material, and the first conductor device 52 is electrically connected to the connecting member. 9. A set according to any one of claims 1, 5 and 8, characterized in that at least one magnet 94 extends between adjacent oppositely charged electrodes. Three-dimensional. 10 the second plurality of electrodes 143, 145. and 157
9. An assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that the electrode has sharp edges for emitting electrons. 11. Each of the second plurality of electrodes comprises a transverse shaft 96 extending from opposite sides of the shaft 68, with spikes 98 extending from each end of the transverse shaft in the direction of the gas flow path. An assembly according to claim 10. 12 the first plurality of electrodes 144, 146, and 148
9. An assembly according to claim 8, each comprising a pair of concentric rings interconnected by a radial bridge. 13. According to claim 12, said first conductor arrangement comprises at least one conductor bar 52 interconnecting said radial bridges of said first plurality of adjacent electrodes. Assembly as described. 14 The gas-contaminated particulate matter is passed through a vacuum chamber that is connected to a vacuum source through a vacuum outlet, and the gas-contaminated particulate matter is subjected to an electric field that charges the gaseous contaminant. In a method of degassing gas-contaminated particulate material, separating the particulate material and forming a gas flow path through an outlet to a vacuum source, the gas flow paths are spaced apart from one another along the gas flow path to the vacuum source. A degassing method characterized in that a series of potentials is formed, adjacent potentials having opposite polarity and the distance between adjacent potentials decreasing in the direction of the gas flow path. 15. Degassing method according to claim 14, characterized in that a series of potentials is created outside the vacuum chamber and inside the outlet.